Source of the outbreak

Epidemiological, laboratory and traceability data show that meat sliced ​​in delicatessens, including Boar’s Head brand liver sausage, is contaminated with Listeria and make people sick.

Products sold in the delicatessen department, especially those that are sliced ​​or prepared in the delicatessen department, may be contaminated with Listeria. Listeria spreads easily between delicatessen equipment, surfaces, hands and food. Cooling does not kill Listeriabut by warming it up to a sufficiently high temperature before consumption, any germs that may be present on the meat are killed.

What you should do

For people who are generally healthy and not at higher risk of severe infection:

• Do not eat recalled meat. Throw them away or contact the stores to return them.
• Check your refrigerator for recalled cold cuts and throw them away or return them to the store. Listeria can grow on foods stored in the refrigerator.
• Clean Your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have come into contact with recalled meat.

What people at increased risk should do

Listeria is especially dangerous if you are pregnant, 65 years or older, or have a weakened immune system due to certain diseases or treatments. Other people can become infected with Listeria, However, they rarely become seriously ill.

If you are pregnant, 65 years or older, or have a weakened immune system:

• Do not eat recalled cold cuts. Throw them away or contact the stores to return them.
• Also, do not eat any other sausage sliced ​​at the deli counter unless it has been reheated to an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) or until steaming hot. Let it cool before eating.
  • Listeria can grow on foods stored in the refrigerator, but is easily killed if the food is heated to a sufficiently high temperature.
• Clean Your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have come into contact with sliced ​​sausage.
  • This is especially important if you have purchased one of the recalled delicatessen products.
• Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:
  • People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
  • Pregnant women usually have fever, muscle aches and fatigue. Listeria can lead to miscarriages or premature births. In newborns it can also cause serious illness or death.

What companies should do

• For delicatessens that have received recalled meat:
  • Thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces that come into contact with food and other materials, including slicers.
  • Throw away opened meat and cheese from the deli section.
  • USDA-FSIS advises deli stores not to use opened deli products because recalled products may cause cross-contamination with other deli meats and cheeses.
• Always follow USDA-FSIS best practices for control Listeria Contamination in delicatessen areas.